Ito's 13 Scariest Manga Tales

Junji Ito: A Master of Horror Manga

Since his professional manga debut in 1987, Junji Ito has captivated and terrified readers worldwide with his chilling tales and iconic creations. His masterful blend of beautifully illustrated comics and deeply unsettling narratives has cemented his status as one of the most renowned horror storytellers of his generation. Each story is a unique descent into the macabre, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.

Junji Ito Collections

Alley

See it at Amazon

Uzumaki: Deluxe Edition

See it at Target See it at Amazon

Tomie: Complete Deluxe Edition

See it at Amazon

Mimi's Tales of Terror

See it at Amazon

Remina

See it at Amazon

Shiver

See it at Amazon

Gyo: Deluxe Edition

See it at Amazon

Smashed

See it at Amazon

Lovesickness

See it at Amazon

Narrowing down Ito's extensive work to just thirteen of his most bone-chilling stories was a daunting task. While many of his scariest short stories circulate online, they are also compiled into physical collections. Some, like Tomie and Uzumaki, follow a continuous narrative, while others, such as Shiver and Smashed, present standalone stories united by a common theme.

The Scariest Junji Ito Stories

From haunting ghost stories and gothic horror to bizarre modern fables, these thirteen tales showcase Ito's mastery of the genre.

13. The Beautiful Boy at the Crossroads

Ito often explores the dark side of love and its potential to inflict curses. "The Beautiful Boy at the Crossroads," the opening story in Lovesickness, exemplifies this perfectly. The tale follows Ryusuke's return to his hometown, an event shadowed by a devastating secret. His arrival coincides with a series of brutal murders, creating a chilling mystery that intertwines with Ryusuke's past, introducing one of Ito's most memorable and terrifying creations.

12. Village of the Siren

A foray into folk horror, "Village of the Siren" depicts another bleak homecoming. Kyochi returns to his family's village only to find it deserted, replaced by a strange factory and haunting sirens. This story explores themes of strange rituals, cults, and the occult, featuring a high body count and taboo-breaking horror.

11. I Don't Want to Be a Ghost

Shigeru's life takes a dark turn after rescuing a mysterious woman. Their affair unfolds amidst unsettling circumstances, revealing a terrifying secret that will leave you breathless.

10. The Strange Hikizuri Siblings

This darkly humorous story introduces the Hikizuri siblings, a dysfunctional family who delight in tormenting each other and unsuspecting victims. Their schemes, though often hapless, have deadly consequences.

9. The Mystery of the Haunted House

A haunted house throws a town into chaos as derision turns to terror. Two young boys stumble upon a true house of horrors, filled with victims and the twisted games of the scheming Souichi Tsujii.

8. Honored Ancestors

"Honored Ancestors" delves into family dynamics with a psychedelically deranged twist. Risa's amnesia leads her to terrifying visions and the revelation of a family's unsettling traditions.

7. Uzumaki

Perhaps Ito's most famous work, Uzumaki is a classic for a reason. This supernatural tale centers on the town of Kurouzu-cho, cursed not by spirits but by spirals. The story explores themes of obsession, paranoia, and the transformation of the mundane into the bizarre.

6. Fashion Model

A more visceral horror tale, "Fashion Model" introduces its monster early on. A young man becomes obsessed with a model whose image fills him with existential dread.

5. Tomie

Ito's most famous creation, Tomie, is a stunningly beautiful woman who is murdered only to reappear. Her ever-shifting true face is the stuff of nightmares, making her a pop culture icon.

4. House of the Marionettes

This classic Ito story explores the creepy world of puppets and a family obsessed with them. A young girl's friendship with a puppeteer's son leads to a terrifying discovery years later.

3. Used Record

"Used Record" tells the story of a hypnotic vinyl record that consumes its listeners. The relatable nature of musical obsession is taken to a nightmarish level.

2. Greased

This stomach-churning tale explores the obsession with grease and its grotesque consequences. Yui's brother Goro's addiction to cooking oil leads to horrifying transformations.

1. The Hanging Balloons

"The Hanging Balloons" is arguably Ito's scariest, most bizarre, and claustrophobic story. The suicide of a celebrity schoolgirl leads to a spate of copycat deaths and the appearance of terrifying balloons in the sky.

What's Next for Junji Ito?

Uncanny: Origins of Fear

See it at Amazon

Ito's latest release is Uncanny: The Origins of Fear, a memoir and analysis of the horror genre. A new collection, Moan, is set to release soon, promising more chilling tales of obsession and warped reality.